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Monday, June 3, 2013

Review: The Karmic Connection

When author Libby Mercer asked me to review her latest book, The Karmic Connection, I immediately said yes. I don't even think I really paid attention to what the book was about, to be honest. Why? Because I read and reviewed Mercer's second novel, Unmasking Maya awhile ago and loved it and knew I would love whatever she came out with next. I was right. Her most recent work is funny and sweet and thoroughly enjoyable.

Here's the synopsis:

What is the universe up to?

Guilty of nothing more than working too much - or so they say - Adam Stowe is
dumped at a "wellness center" in the middle of nowhere by a couple of
concerned colleagues. When he meets Lorraine, the beautiful and bewitching yoga
instructor, his spirits start to lift, but once he discovers what a flighty
fruitcake she is, they drop back down to subterranean levels.

For Lorraine Jameson, Luna Wellness Center was a beacon of solace when her life
was falling apart, and she can't stand the way Adam's toxic energy is poisoning
the peace. He embodies everything negative about the life she discarded
eighteen months ago. Despite being fiercely attracted to the arrogant man,
she's determined not to let Adam Stowe anywhere near her heart.

Adam and Lorraine couldn't be more unsuitable as a potential couple... so why
is the universe so dead set on uniting these two?

This book was a quick read for me. I was actually able to finish it in one night (granted, it's more of a novella than a full length novel as it clocks in at 144 pages) while I was sitting on the floor watching my bunny run around like the maniac that she is. Since it was getting pretty late, I was glad to have an engaging and entertaining novel to keep me awake while Tonks got her exercise at her own personal gym (aka my living room). I found myself laughing out loud at numerous scenes, especially when Adam got himself into very New Age-y situations and felt incredibly awkward. I wish I had noted which scenes really entertained me but I was too busy enjoying the story to make notes!

I've found that the two books by Mercer that I've read have had similar couples. Not necessarily in personalities but in the fact that the males are more traditional with office type jobs while the females are more free spirits. This really had no impact on the story, I just found it interesting. This does make for a more entertaining story, I think. The couple seems so incredibly unsuited but there's something there (that Mercer is careful to write about in subtle ways) that makes you realize that they're actually meant to be together. I found myself rooting for Lorraine and Adam and couldn't wait for them to realize that the universe was right and they actually belonged together!

I loved all the secondary characters in this novel. I loved Lorraine and Adam too, in case you were worried. Random fact: I was immediately interested in Lorraine once I saw the book's cover because she and I have very similar hair! :) Celeste, the owner of Luna Wellness Center, seems like an awesome lady. I liked that we were introduced to the other visitors at the Center (argh, I want to type that as "Centre!" My Canadian-ness doesn't like typing it "er" hehe) through Adam's eyes. He assumes they're all hippy dippy types and we are led to assume right along with them. Of course, there's always more to someone than initially meets the eye and Mercer allows each character to show why they're at Luna and what they're struggling with. One of my favourite scenes takes place between Adam and the teenage girl who's at Luna because she thinks she's too fat. It's really sweet and helped Lorraine see that there was more to Adam than she initially thought. What can we learn from this? Don't judge someone until you really get to know them!

Overall, I loved The Karmic Connection. Libby Mercer has written another funny and entertaining novel. It has a great mix of romance and sexiness that is so much fun to read. This is a perfect read for a summer weekend for romance and chick lit lovers alike. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

And just because I can...here's a picture of my nutty bunny (though she's not being very nutty in this picture):

*A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*